Basin nectar bird feeder with improved stability

Abstract

The nectar bird feeder, which has improved stabilization, includes a base with a bottom surface, a central portion, and a trough-shaped reservoir positioned about the central portion for containing nectar therein. A hanger is connected to the central portion of the base and extends upwardly therefrom. An extension stabilizing member is connected to the base and downwardly depends therefrom, such as from the bottom surface of the base. An annular-shaped cover, having a top surface and lower edges, is releasably attached to the base and co-extensive with the trough of the base with an aperture therein. The center of gravity of the feeder, with the stabilizing member, is located below the bottom surface of the base for improved stabilization thereof during filling and use of the feeder.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to animal feeders and, in particular, bird feeders. More specifically, the present invention relates to bird feeders of the nectar feed type, such as hummingbird, oriole and butterfly bird feeders and methods of stabilizing and filling such feeders.[0002] Nectar bird feeders are available in three basic designs. The basin or saucer-type feeder is exemplified in the Kilham U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,527, the basin bottle is exemplified by the Williams U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,589, and the tube bottle feeder is exemplified by the Fowler U.S. Pat. Number 3,125,069. The tube bottle has certain disadvantages as it is hard to clean, tends to drip in warm weather and is messy to refill, particularly if it is not completely empty. The basin bottle holds more liquid than a straight basin feeder but it too drips due to the downward pressure of the nectar and if jarred by the wind or larger birds. Also, basin bottle feeders are also very ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention preserves the advantages of prior art bird feeders and structures and configurations used to stabilize them. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available feeders and stabilization structures and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available feeders and stabilization configurations.

[0014] The basin nectar bird feeder, which has improved stabilization, includes a base with a bottom surface, a central portion, and a trough-shaped reservoir positioned about the central portion for containing nectar therein. A hanger is connected to the central portion of the base and extends upwardly therefrom. An extension stabilizing member is connected to the base and downwardly depends therefrom, such as from the bottom surface of the base. An annular-shaped cover, having a top surface and lower edges, is releasably attached to the base and co-extensive with the trough of the base with an aperture therein. The center of gravity of the feeder, with the stabilizing member, is located below the bottom surface of the base for improved stabilization thereof during filling and use of the feeder.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is more stable than prior art basin nectar bird feeders.

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is stable during filling.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is stable during feeding.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a basin nectar bird feeder that is more stabile during filling to reduce mess and cleanup and to facilitate such filling.

Problems solved by technology

The tube bottle has certain disadvantages as it is hard to clean, tends to drip in warm weather and is messy to refill, particularly if it is not completely empty.

Also, basin bottle feeders are also very messy to refill.

It is sometimes thought that its small capacity is a disadvantage because of its typical capacity in the range of 8-16 ounces.

This can cause the nectar to spill and splash out of the feed ports causing undesirable results.

This instability is also possible when the feeder is being filled outside in certain weather conditions.

However, as stated above, the flat saucer shape of the feeder of FIG. 1 acts as a wind foil and can easily become unstable during windy weather or when numerous birds are feeding at the same time.

However, wind and other environmental conditions can de-stabilize the feeder 10 during the filling process.

Therefore, the prior art basin type nectar feeders, while they are highly desirable for their cleanliness compared to other types of feeders and are attractive in appearance, they suffer from the disadvantages of being unstable in certain conditions.

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